Australian Police

Australian Police

The Thin Blue Line – Australian Police

Police Deaths in NSW – 1788 to 1996 (19)

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In Remembrance of those Police Officers who gave their life

RILEY, Keith Allan
Inspector
4 June, 1982.

Sergeant Riley died on 4 June, 1982 as a result of a heart attack sustained whilst on duty at the Gosford Police Station.
The Sergeant joined the New South Wales Police Force in 1948. At the time of his death he was stationed at Gosford.

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HUTCHINS, John Benjamin
Senior Constable
17 November, 1983.

About 12.25pm on 17 November, 1983, Senior Constable Hutchins was riding his motor cycle to work along Victoria Road, Ryde. The Constable failed to notice a vehicle that was stationary in front of his and collided with the rear of the vehicle. Senior Constable Hutchins was conveyed to the Ryde Hospital where he was found to be dead on arrival.

The Constable was born in 1951 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 14 February, 1972. At the time of his death he was attached to the Police Communications Branch.

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LEE, Wayne Dennis
Probationary Constable
26 December, 1983.

About 6.35am on 26 December, 1983 Constable Lee was riding his motor cycle to work along Peats Ridge Road, Peats Ridge. About two kilometres north of Cooks Road a panel van travelling in the opposite direction made a right turn in front of the cycle. The Constable was thrown to the roadway where he sustained severe injuries. Although treated by a passing doctor, Constable Lee died a short time later at the Gosford Hospital.
The Constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 May, 1983. At the time of his death he was stationed at Pymble.

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LINDSAY, Rhoderic Francis
Sergeant 1st Class
20 February, 1984.

On the afternoon of the 20 February, 1984, Sergeant Lindsay and Senior Constable Calman, both off duty, were fishing in the Sergeant’s boat off Swansea. About 6.10pm the yacht “Melody” radioed for assistance after running aground on the bar at Swansea Channel. Sergeant Lindsay and Senior Constable Calman then set out to assist the stricken vessel. Securing a line to the “Melody”, they attempted to two the vessel to safety, but as their efforts were hampered by a heavy sea the Sergeant released the line from the yacht. Constable Calman, then noticed that Sergeant Lindsay was missing from his boat, and seeing blood in the water, dived into the sea to rescue his friend, Having located him Constable Calman, assisted by surf club members, conveyed the injured Sergeant to shore. It was found then that he had died of his injuries. It appears that Sergeant Lindsay was either knocked or washed overboard shortly after releasing the towline to the yacht, and suffered extensive head injuries when struck by his boat’s propeller. He was posthumously awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal and the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Outstanding Courage and Devotion to Duty.
The Sergeant was born in 1935 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 12 April, 1955. At the time of his death he was stationed at Newcastle.

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KATSIVELAS, Pashalis (Paul)
Constable
4 April, 1984.

About 11.30am on 4 April, 1984, Constable Katsivelas was on duty at the Concord Repatriation Hospital where he was guarding a prisoner who was suffering from heroin withdrawal. The prisoner asked to be allowed to visit the toilet, so the Constable unlocked one handcuff, and with a nurse’s aide, escorted the prisoner to the toilet area. As the prisoner left the toilet cubicle he suddenly leapt at the Constable, knocking him to the ground. A violent struggle ensued during which the prisoner seized the Constable’s service revolver and shot him twice in the chest before escaping. Constable Katsivelas died a short time later from his wounds. The offender was later located by Police, and when warned to surrender he shot himself in the head.
The Constable was born in 1964 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 13 December, 1082. At the time of his death he was stationed at Newtown.

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RIXON, Wayne Allen
Constable 1st Class
3 January, 1985.

About 5pm on 3 January, 1985, Constable Rixon and Probationary Constable Meredith Ireland were travelling in a Police Highway Patrol vehicle in Bannerman Crescent, Rosebery when they became involved in a high speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle. As the pursuit continued along Hayes Street, the stolen vehicle sped through stop signs at the intersection of Dunning Avenue. The Police vehicle slowed at the intersection but unfortunately collided with a truck that had been travelling along Dunning Avenue. After hitting the truck, the Police vehicle spun around and slammed into a brick wall. Constable Rixon sustained severe head and internal injuries and had to be released from the Police vehicle by the Police Rescue Squad. He was conveyed to the Royal South Sydney Hospital where he was found to be deal on arrival. Constable Ireland was treated at the Prince of Wales Hospital for lacerations and shock before she was allowed to leave.
The Constable was born in 1957 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 23 January, 1978. At the time of his death he was attached to the Maroubra Highway Patrol.

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TIER, Steven John
Detective Constable
24 July, 1985.

On 24 July, 1985 Detective Constable Tier was the driver of a Police vehicle engaged in the pursuit of an unkown vehicle in the Princes Highway, Unanderra. During the pursuit the Police vehicle left the roadway and collided with a telegraph pole, critically injuring Constable Tier. Further details of the incident are not known.
The Constable was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 15 January, 1979. At the time of his death he was stationed at Dapto

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LLOYD, Ralph
Sergeant 3rd Class
12 September, 1985.

Sergeant Lloyd was the Librarian at the Police Prosecuting Branch, which was a very demanding position. In August, 1980 he was diagnosed as suffering from Multiple Myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow). The condition was found to have been greatly aggravated and accelerated by his stressful position. He died on 12 September, 1985.
The Sergeant was born in 1946 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 7 August, 1967. At the time of his death he was attached to the Police Prosecuting Branch.

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QUINN, Paul Mitchell
Sergeant 3rd Class
30 March, 1986.
Late in the afternoon of 30 March, 1986, Constable 1st Class Quinn was involved in the high speed pursuit of a vehicle from South Bathurst towards Perthville. At Perthville the offender, Horan, lost control of the vehicle and collided with the approach railing of a bridge at the intersection of Bridge Street. The offender then leapt from the vehicle with a .303 rifle and began to fire at the Police who had been chasing him. Constable Quinn was hit in the neck and killed instantly, whilst Constable Ian Borland was also seriously wounded in the incident. The offender was shot several times by Police and was later charged with a number of serious offences. Fortunately Constable Borland recovered from his injuries. Constable Quinn was posthumously promoted to Sergeant 3rd Class.
The Sergeant was born in 1960 and joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet on 4 July, 1977. At the time of his death he was stationed at Bathurst.

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HAWKES (FRAZER), Jillian Cupit
Detective Sergeant 3rd Class
22 April, 1986.
On 30 July, 1977 Detective Senior Constable Hawkes and another Detective attended Sydney’s Luna Park in relation to a complaint. While the offender was being escorted from the park, he began to struggle violently and kicked Detective Hawke’s legs out from under her. When she fell to the ground the offender continued kicking and stamping on her. As a result she suffered an injury to her right leg which later developed a malignant bone tumour. The leg was amputated and after being fitted with an artificial leg Detective Hawkes returned to work. On 17 December, 1982 she was discharged from the Force medically unfit. Unfortunately, on 19 April, 1986 Detective Sergeant Hawkes lapsed into a coma and died three days later.
The Sergeant was born in 1939 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 16 August, 1965.

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